1. main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
   Date   
Re: Flat Black

Tim O'Connor
 

Al

Model Master solvent based paint, yes, or is this an acrylic?

That sounds correct to me... adding about 1 part thinner to 2 parts paint sounds right. You
can start with less thinner and then add more until the flow is right for you and your airbrush,
PSI pressure, elevation, ambient temperature, and humidity. :-)

Tim O'Connor



On 2/1/2019 4:57 PM, al_westerfield wrote:

Quite  by coincidence, I purchased my first paint bottles today, flat black Model Master.  The hobby shop didn’t stock mrr colors.  I had to give away all my Floqui, the only product I ever used,  when we moved to Tucson.  The moving company wouldn’t carry it.  So I have a few questions.  Is the 2:1 ratio of paint to thinner as recommended on the bottle for air brushing accurate?  What solvent is best for cleaning the air brush?  Freight car content: I’m painting 6 undec Train Miniature hopper cars.  Thanks for any help. – Al Westerfield




--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts
Re: vertically mounted Klasing power hand brake

Chuck Cover
 

Group,

 

I have a Sunshine Models 40’ Mather boxcar kit that is missing the vertically mounted Klasing power hand brake.  I think a version of that brake also came with the Red Caboose Mather reefer kits .  Does anyone have an extra one or can tell me where to purchase one?

 

Thanks

 

Chuck Cover

Santa Fe, NM

 
Re: Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

Tim O'Connor
 

Todd

Yes, I have those and they are made for the 1920's NP stock cars - the CV prototype. The artwork
was done by Rick Leach for the NPRHA and it's immaculate.

I sat down and compared the Champ sets to Rick's work and the Champ decals are ALMOST exactly
correct - the differences in the lettering are quite subtle. But Champ sets will not be "bright white" due to
their slight semi-transparency so for the brightest lettering, use the NPRHA set, but for a weathered car
the Champ may make weathering easier.

Tim O'


On 2/1/2019 5:08 PM, Todd Sullivan via Groups.Io wrote:
I believe that the NP Railway Historical Association's stock car decals are for the Central Valley kit.  The set is extensive.  They still have the resin ends in stock.  There was an article on how the narrow the CV roof and floor in their magazine some years ago: "In The Mainstreeter, Volume 25-1, Ed Ursem published an article on kit-bashing the Central Valley kit to narrow the model to its prototype width which required extensive rebuilding of the car ends."  (from the NPRHA website)

Todd Sullivan

--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts
Re: Flat Black

Daniel A. Mitchell
 

I too used Floquil, and still do while my dwindling supply lasts, but nowadays I mostly use TruColor or Model Master. Model Master comes in two varieties … enamel (oil based) and acrylic (water based).

I use acrylics mostly for brush panting small details. For spraying I use TruColor and Model Master enamel (never have had much luck spraying acrylics).

For spraying Model Master enamel I thin perhaps 30-50%. If returning the paint to the bottle, I use ONLY their suggested thinner (some kind of "mineral spirits"). If NOT returning the paint to the bottle, I use most any commercial lacquer-thinner.  With the lacquer-thinner, use good ventilation, and preferably a spray booth, the fumes are toxic.

I use TruColor with their own thinner (unfortunately, it’s VERY expensive).

Use of the lacquer-thinner speeds the drying process. One needs to be careful not to put it on plastic too wet, as it will attack the surface of the plastic (as did the older Floquil and Scalecoat 1). Experience solves this problem.

I use the lacquer-thinner for cleaning the airbrush with either paint.

The main downsides to Model Master enamel is that it dries slower than Floquil (even when using lacquer-thinner), and does not come in “railroad” colors. Fortunately it does come in many colors, many of them "flat”.

I’m finding both TruColor or Model Master to be satisfactory. Both are somewhat different than Floquil, and some practice and experience is needed for best results. I still like Floquil, but it’s becoming harder and harder to find, and there are at least THREE incompatible formulations for it (which can lead to some real disasters).

I also use some Scalecoat, both 1 & 2, and it’s “OK”, but it’s abominably slow drying time is a real “pain” … unless it’s BAKED. Baked Scalecoat is my choice for most brass models … it’s near bulletproof. Unfortunately one can’t bake plastic or most wood models (depending on what they’re glued with). Even on brass, one must be careful to remove any little plastic parts (bushings, etc.).
 
Dan Mitchell
==========

On Feb 1, 2019, at 4:57 PM, al_westerfield <westerfieldalfred@...> wrote:
 
Quite  by coincidence, I purchased my first paint bottles today, flat black Model Master.  The hobby shop didn’t stock mrr colors.  I had to give away all my Floqui, the only product I ever used,  when we moved to Tucson.  The moving company wouldn’t carry it.  So I have a few questions.  Is the 2:1 ratio of paint to thinner as recommended on the bottle for air brushing accurate?  What solvent is best for cleaning the air brush?  Freight car content: I’m painting 6 undec Train Miniature hopper cars.  Thanks for any help. – Al Westerfield
 
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
 
From: dale florence via Groups.Io
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 2:19 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Flat Black
 
Tim,
 
Time to change.
 
Dale   
 
 
On Friday, February 1, 2019, 4:07:49 PM EST, Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@...> wrote: 
 
 


TruColor for brushing??? Accupaint, TruColor and Star paints can (must) 
be thinned for airbrushing.
The thinner is volatile, and the caps are not 100% airtight, so the 
paint often desiccates in the bottle.
But adding new thinner will restore it.



On 2/1/2019 1:20 PM, Denny Anspach wrote:
> Colleagues, what utility flat black (solvent-based)  are you all using these days?
>
> I do have a cache of Floquil from their last days, and but an apparent late formula change causes them to take 24/48 hours to completely dry. Scalecoat(s) have too much gloss and take too long.  TruColor works but is a mystery (specifically formulated for brushing).  I am not yet looked to ModelMaster.  My 60+ years of work habits are centered around solvent paint finishes that are workable within hours, not days, and I have no desire nor inclination to change.  In this regard, I can be patient with key paint finishes, but am not at all patient with utility projects where I need to paint and move on.
>
> Denny S. Anspach, MD
> Sacramento, CA 95864


-- 
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*


 
<B6068DBBA1BA415985342B1E68E73267.png>
Re: Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

frograbbit602
 

Tim the only decals I am aware of are the those available from the Northern Pacific Historical Society.

Lester Breuer
Re: Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

al_westerfield
 

No, I never did.  I was too busy making them.  Likewise, I have no idea of how many kits I assembled for instructions and ads.  Someday, someone else will count them.  However, they will be wrong, because virtually every car has different lettering on the second side.  Some kits had their lettering removed for new lettering when I had no time to build new roadname cars.  And finally, one hopper car has two physically different sides.  It’s not even square.  Nor did I ever count how many different kits I offered, but I think it was well over 450.  I often said I would have to build a point-to-loop layout so I could send a train out and a different one would come back.

 

I only have 6 cars left, the first four offered and the 10th and 25th anniversary cars.  The rest went to Andrew Dahm when he bought the business.  I also have the first kit from the first production run of each of these 6. - Al Westerfield

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Tim O'Connor
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 7:53 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

 


Al, did you ever tally the total production of kits you sold over the years?

Tim O'


On 1/31/2019 7:10 PM, al_westerfield wrote:

The first of 29 years of monthly ads.  Believe it or not, I still ran into people at train shows that had never heard of us. – Al Westerfield

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Benjamin Hom
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 3:00 PM
To: STMFC
Subject: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

 

Railroad Model Craftsman, October 1982 issue, ad for the first four offerings from Westerfield.

 

 

Ben Hom

 

Attachments:

·         01B0FBDFF2FC403FABFD0B53365B6F1C.png

 


--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts

 
Re: Flat Black

Jeff
 

Al, 

Have you checked out Joe Fugate's MRH Guide to Acrylic Painting? If you are a registered (free!) member of the MRH website (which also subscribes you to MRH Magazine) the book is a free download from https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/subscribers-only/painting/acrylics 

There is a whole chapter on thinner formulas and his recommendations for ratios. 


On Fri, Feb 1, 2019 at 1:57 PM al_westerfield <westerfieldalfred@...> wrote:

Quite  by coincidence, I purchased my first paint bottles today, flat black Model Master.  The hobby shop didn’t stock mrr colors.  I had to give away all my Floqui, the only product I ever used,  when we moved to Tucson.  The moving company wouldn’t carry it.  So I have a few questions.  Is the 2:1 ratio of paint to thinner as recommended on the bottle for air brushing accurate?  What solvent is best for cleaning the air brush?  Freight car content: I’m painting 6 undec Train Miniature hopper cars.  Thanks for any help. – Al Westerfield

 


 
--
Jeff Shultz
http://www.shultzinfosystems.com
A railfan approaches a grade crossing hoping that there will be a train.
Re: Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

Todd Sullivan
 

I believe that the NP Railway Historical Association's stock car decals are for the Central Valley kit.  The set is extensive.  They still have the resin ends in stock.  There was an article on how the narrow the CV roof and floor in their magazine some years ago: "In The Mainstreeter, Volume 25-1, Ed Ursem published an article on kit-bashing the Central Valley kit to narrow the model to its prototype width which required extensive rebuilding of the car ends."  (from the NPRHA website)

Todd Sullivan
Re: Flat Black

al_westerfield
 

Quite  by coincidence, I purchased my first paint bottles today, flat black Model Master.  The hobby shop didn’t stock mrr colors.  I had to give away all my Floqui, the only product I ever used,  when we moved to Tucson.  The moving company wouldn’t carry it.  So I have a few questions.  Is the 2:1 ratio of paint to thinner as recommended on the bottle for air brushing accurate?  What solvent is best for cleaning the air brush?  Freight car content: I’m painting 6 undec Train Miniature hopper cars.  Thanks for any help. – Al Westerfield

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: dale florence via Groups.Io
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 2:19 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Flat Black

 

Tim,

 

Time to change.

 

Dale   

 

 

On Friday, February 1, 2019, 4:07:49 PM EST, Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@...> wrote:

 

 


TruColor for brushing??? Accupaint, TruColor and Star paints can (must)
be thinned for airbrushing.
The thinner is volatile, and the caps are not 100% airtight, so the
paint often desiccates in the bottle.
But adding new thinner will restore it.



On 2/1/2019 1:20 PM, Denny Anspach wrote:
> Colleagues, what utility flat black (solvent-based)  are you all using these days?
>
> I do have a cache of Floquil from their last days, and but an apparent late formula change causes them to take 24/48 hours to completely dry. Scalecoat(s) have too much gloss and take too long.  TruColor works but is a mystery (specifically formulated for brushing).  I am not yet looked to ModelMaster.  My 60+ years of work habits are centered around solvent paint finishes that are workable within hours, not days, and I have no desire nor inclination to change.  In this regard, I can be patient with key paint finishes, but am not at all patient with utility projects where I need to paint and move on.
>
> Denny S. Anspach, MD
> Sacramento, CA 95864


--
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*


 
Re: Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

WILLIAM PARDIE
 

Tim, if my memory serves me correctly I got decals from the Northern Pacific Historical Society after learning that Champ's were inaccurate in some way.  Now if I could only find them.

Bill Pardie



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@...>
Date: 2/1/19 10:45 AM (GMT-10:00)
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

Lester

Has anyone done accurate decals for the NP Mather stock cars? I love P2K stuff... bought a stock pile
of them when you could buy 4 kits for less than $20 at train shows.

Tim O'


On 2/1/2019 8:43 AM, Lester Breuer wrote:
I have finished a Northern Pacific stock car, NP, 80163, an upgraded Proto 2000 kit.   Upgrade includes wire grab irons, uncoupling levers, retainer line and removal of molded plastic in areas between boards to match NP Prototype.   The attached photo of the upgraded stock car was taken before weathering added.  Photos and writeup of finished NP 80163 stock car are on my blog I started to share photos and writeup of modeling projects on my Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company.   If you would like to take a look please do at the following:

Attachments:
Re: Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

Peter Ness
 

Well, my first resin kit was not Westerfield but F&C. By the time I model, New Haven Class NE cabeese were out of service with exception of C-118 in Tool Train (aka wreck train on other roads) service. I’ve built an RBM Troop sleeper and some non-freight kits but have in the stack some Sunshine, Speedwitch, Westerfield and more F&C.  quite a ways to go…

 

 

Peter Ness

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io [mailto:main@RealSTMFC.groups.io] On Behalf Of Tony Thompson
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 1:08 PM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

 

     Hadn't thought about this topic in this way. By count, I have 68 resin cars in service, either on the layout or in active storage for use. There are three more cars on the workbench in different stages. The roster cars are mostly Sunshine and Westerfield, but a few from practically everyone else, such as Yankee Clipper, Storzek, F&C, Speedwitch and Southern Car & Foundry.

       My unbuilt stash is about four kits, two of them recently acquired Resin Car Works kits.

       I am not counting any resin cars that I inherited from Richard Hendrickson, though in fact he didn't built that many. He really loved kitbashing and a great many of his completed cars were of that origin.

 

Tony Thompson             Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA

2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705         www.signaturepress.com

(510) 540-6538; e-mail, tony@...

Publishers of books on railroad history

 

 



 
Re: Flat Black

Ralph W. Brown
 

Hi Denny,

Minuteman Scale Models/ScaleCoat has at least two ScaleCoat I flat black colors: flat black and engine black, neither of which I've yet had a chance to try. I ordered a bunch of ScaleCoat I paint colors from Walthers a few weeks ago, but got only about a third of what I ordered. For whatever reason Walthers canceled (as opposed to backordered) the rest. I've since been meaning to call Walthers about, but haven't. I've likely just order the rest directly from Minuteman.

It's been awhile since I've done any model painting (cold weather/no spray booth), but in the past ScaleCoat I was for me second only to Floquil, which I still miss. Oh well . . .

Pax,


Ralph Brown
Portland, Maine
PRRT&HS No. 3966
NMRA No. L2532

rbrown51[at]maine[dot]rr[dot]com

-----Original Message-----
From: Denny Anspach
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 1:20 PM
To: RealSteamEraFreightCarList
Subject: [RealSTMFC] Flat Black

Colleagues, what utility flat black (solvent-based) are you all using these days?

I do have a cache of Floquil from their last days, and but an apparent late formula change causes them to take 24/48 hours to completely dry. Scalecoat(s) have too much gloss and take too long. TruColor works but is a mystery (specifically formulated for brushing). I am not yet looked to ModelMaster. My 60+ years of work habits are centered around solvent paint finishes that are workable within hours, not days, and I have no desire nor inclination to change. In this regard, I can be patient with key paint finishes, but am not at all patient with utility projects where I need to paint and move on.

Denny

Denny S. Anspach, MD
Sacramento, CA 95864
Re: Flat Black

dale florence <dwwesley@...>
 

Tim,

Time to change.

Dale   


On Friday, February 1, 2019, 4:07:49 PM EST, Tim O'Connor <timboconnor@...> wrote:



TruColor for brushing??? Accupaint, TruColor and Star paints can (must)
be thinned for airbrushing.
The thinner is volatile, and the caps are not 100% airtight, so the
paint often desiccates in the bottle.
But adding new thinner will restore it.



On 2/1/2019 1:20 PM, Denny Anspach wrote:
> Colleagues, what utility flat black (solvent-based)  are you all using these days?
>
> I do have a cache of Floquil from their last days, and but an apparent late formula change causes them to take 24/48 hours to completely dry. Scalecoat(s) have too much gloss and take too long.  TruColor works but is a mystery (specifically formulated for brushing).  I am not yet looked to ModelMaster.  My 60+ years of work habits are centered around solvent paint finishes that are workable within hours, not days, and I have no desire nor inclination to change.  In this regard, I can be patient with key paint finishes, but am not at all patient with utility projects where I need to paint and move on.
>
> Denny S. Anspach, MD
> Sacramento, CA 95864


--
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*
Re: Flat Black

Tim O'Connor
 

TruColor for brushing??? Accupaint, TruColor and Star paints can (must) be thinned for airbrushing.
The thinner is volatile, and the caps are not 100% airtight, so the paint often desiccates in the bottle.
But adding new thinner will restore it.

On 2/1/2019 1:20 PM, Denny Anspach wrote:
Colleagues, what utility flat black (solvent-based) are you all using these days?

I do have a cache of Floquil from their last days, and but an apparent late formula change causes them to take 24/48 hours to completely dry. Scalecoat(s) have too much gloss and take too long. TruColor works but is a mystery (specifically formulated for brushing). I am not yet looked to ModelMaster. My 60+ years of work habits are centered around solvent paint finishes that are workable within hours, not days, and I have no desire nor inclination to change. In this regard, I can be patient with key paint finishes, but am not at all patient with utility projects where I need to paint and move on.

Denny S. Anspach, MD
Sacramento, CA 95864
--
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*
Re: CG 37 box cars

Tim O'Connor
 


I love that picture Ben. Here's another car. They both are lettered for MofW (company) service.
I wonder if the Southern ever used them with SOU reporting marks in revenue service?



On 2/1/2019 9:03 AM, Benjamin Hom wrote:
Clark Propst asked:
"I've got a set of old Champ CofG box car decals. I checked Ed's list showing several number series, but my RMJ only had a photo of the door and a half car. Anyone have a photo of a single 6' door car. I've got the decals and a space kit, would like to marry the two."

Fenton Wells replied:
"I have this one that may help."

Fenton - Not a 1937 AAR boxcar.  CG 4293 (CG 4000-4499) is a 9 ft 4 in 1932 ARA boxcar.

Clark - Which Champ set do you have?  If it's HN-46, you can use it on a 1932 ARA boxcar model if you have a Funaro or Atlas model in the stash and can find appropriate data.


Ben Hom

Attachments:


--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts
Re: Flat Black

Chuck Cover
 

There are always various responses to these types of questions. I have been
using ACE flat black primer in a rattle can. I use it to prime all models
whether a resin kit or a styrene kitbash. It is inexpensive, has a fine
spray, covers well, and is easy to use. I do all my painting in a spray
booth. I have found all other paints that I use for the final finish work
well with the primer. I also use it as the final finish for black freight
cars such as hopper and gondola cars.

Chuck Cover
Santa Fe, NM
Re: Northern Pacific Stock Car 80163

Tim O'Connor
 

Lester

Has anyone done accurate decals for the NP Mather stock cars? I love P2K stuff... bought a stock pile
of them when you could buy 4 kits for less than $20 at train shows.

Tim O'


On 2/1/2019 8:43 AM, Lester Breuer wrote:
I have finished a Northern Pacific stock car, NP, 80163, an upgraded Proto 2000 kit.   Upgrade includes wire grab irons, uncoupling levers, retainer line and removal of molded plastic in areas between boards to match NP Prototype.   The attached photo of the upgraded stock car was taken before weathering added.  Photos and writeup of finished NP 80163 stock car are on my blog I started to share photos and writeup of modeling projects on my Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company.   If you would like to take a look please do at the following:

Attachments:



--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts
Re: Decals for SFRD (Santa Fe) 50' reefers

Tony Thompson
 

I talked to them about it at the time. A family member set a value on the business that was more than ten times the most optimistic possible number. Totally in orbit. And nothing would be sold separately such as artwork, which is what I wanted to preserve. You even had to buy the furniture. I asked about possible museum donation or the like, they clearly thought I was crazy. I have no idea if the stuff still exists.
Tony Thompson

On Feb 1, 2019, at 12:26 PM, Tim O'Connor <@timboconnor> wrote:


last I heard a long while ago, the business (i.e. artwork & inventory) was for sale. dunno what happened.


On 2/1/2019 12:14 AM, Scott wrote:
What became of the Champ artwork?

Scott McDonald


--
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*
Re: [Non-DoD Source] Re: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

Tim O'Connor
 

lol - funny I've never seen an email here from Jack Spencer, or Dan Holbrook, or... well you get the idea.

We're not only less than 1% of the hobby but we're probably less than 1% of the online hobby too.

On 2/1/2019 8:12 AM, Bill Welch wrote:
Based on the scarcity of modeling photos posted here one can only surmise there is very little modeling going on.

Bill Welch
--
*Tim O'Connor*
*Sterling, Massachusetts*
Re: Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

James SANDIFER
 

Interesting question.

F&C – 22 total, 9 built, 13 kits

NEB&W/Sunshine – 1 kit

Protowest – 2 kits

Southern Car & Foundry – 1 built

Speedwich – 3 kits

Sunshine -56 total, 12 built, 44 kits

Westerfield – 67 total, 29 built, 38 kits

 

Ugh, why did you have to ask? 51 built sounds pretty good, but 101 kits looks like a bunch of time ahead. They are all on hold as I build a 2nd level to the railroad.

My first resin kit was a Westerfield stock car. Of the built cars, 21 are stock cars and five are tank cars. Three are what I call resin-bashed because I modified the resin kit significantly to make something other than the original design.

 

J. Stephen Sandifer

 

From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io [mailto:main@RealSTMFC.groups.io] On Behalf Of Garth Groff
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 3:28 AM
To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io
Subject: Re: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

 

Tim,

A more interesting statistic might be how many of Al's (and Martin's) kits were actually assembled, and how many still languish in various "unbuilt" piles. ;-)

Yours Aye,


Garth Groff

On 1/31/19 9:54 PM, Tim O'Connor wrote:


Al, did you ever tally the total production of kits you sold over the years?

Tim O'


On 1/31/2019 7:10 PM, al_westerfield wrote:

The first of 29 years of monthly ads.  Believe it or not, I still ran into people at train shows that had never heard of us. – Al Westerfield

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Benjamin Hom
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 3:00 PM
To: STMFC
Subject: [RealSTMFC] Throwback Thursday: Westerfield

 

Railroad Model Craftsman, October 1982 issue, ad for the first four offerings from Westerfield.

 

 

Ben Hom

 

Attachments:

 


--
Tim O'Connor
Sterling, Massachusetts